Bayonne Assemblyman is under investigation for forgery

Tony Kurdzuk/The Star-LedgerAssemblyman Anthony Chiappone (D-Hudson) during a meeting of the Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee at the State House in 2008

An Assemblyman from Bayonne is under investigation by the state Attorney General's Office for apparently allegedly forging signatures of Assembly aides on paychecks and cashing them, according to a report in the Jersey Journal.

According to the report, Bayonne Assemblyman Anthony Chiappone Tuesday confirmed he is being investigated but strongly denies the claims. Chiappone said he is voluntarily going to the attorney general's office in Trenton Thursday to be interviewed.

The inquiry apparently stems from an incident in 2005 when a campaign worker for Chiappone, Michael Albanese, filed a police report accusing Chiappone of forging his signature and depositing a $180 check. Chiappone said the check was accidentally mixed up with his mail, and his wife deposited the check.